News

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans to make the most-polluting vehicles pay a daily charge to enter central London.

The proposals are subject to a public consultation which starts today (4 April) and runs until 25 June.

If the plans are given the green light, the new charges will take effect in just over two years’ time.

The Mayor has already confirmed the £10 T-Charge, which will start in October this year. He is now proposing that this will be replaced by the introduction of the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London from Monday 8th April 2019.

The ULEZ in 2019 will cover the same area as the existing Congestion Charging zone.

The Mayor is also proposing to expand the ULEZ across Greater London for heavy diesel vehicles, including buses, coaches and lorries, in 2020, and up to the North and South Circular roads for cars and vans in 2021.

The ULEZ daily fee to drive in the zone will apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to the vehicle which do not meet the following standard:

Petrol Euro 4/ IV

Diesel Euro 6/ VI

Powered Two Wheelers Euro 3

These standards mean that petrol cars more than around 13 years old in 2019, and diesel cars over 4 years old in 2019 will be eligible to pay.

The charges will be £12.50 for cars, vans and motorbikes, and £100 for heavy vehicles such as HGVs and coaches. They will be in addition to the Congestion Charge where applicable.

The ULEZ will apply to all vehicle types, except black taxis, which are already being made cleaner through licensing restrictions. From next year, all new licenced taxis must be zero-emissions capable.